5th firearm discovered this year

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CLEVELAND - A man who was found with a loaded gun in his carry-on at the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport called it "a class-a screw-up."

A loaded gun was found Wednesday in a passenger’s carry-on bag at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

The Transportation Security Administration said the .380 caliber pistol was discovered at about 4:50 p.m.

The TSA agent alerted police and officers arrested the passenger, Steven Janik, who told authorities he had forgotten the gun was in his bag.

"This was a class-a screw-up," Steven Janik wrote to newsnet5.com Thursday. "I learned an important lesson and accept responsibility. TSA did a great job and I'm grateful they keep our skies safe."

This is the fifth firearm discovered at security checkpoints at Hopkins this year. A total of eight firearms were found in 2013.

TSA said that while firearms may be transported in checked baggage (provided they are declared to the airline, in a proper carrying case and unloaded), they are prohibited in carry-on bags.

“Passengers are responsible for the contents of bags they bring to the checkpoint,” said Mark Howell, TSA spokesman. “Our advice is to look through bags thoroughly before coming to the airport to make sure there are no illegal or prohibited items.”

TSA would like to remind passengers that it is important for them to thoroughly search their bags for any potential dangerous weapons or prohibited items before departing for the airport.